


THE 



BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 



An Irish Drama, 



IN FOUR ACTS. 



By MICHAEL J. FLANAGAN, 



OF CINCINNATI, OHIO. 



4 



CINCINNATI : 

PRESS OF GEORGE P. HOUSTON, 105 LONGWORTH ST. 

1885. 



THE 



BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 



An Irish Drama, 



IN FOUR ACTS. 



S 



By MICHAEL J. FLANAGAN, 

HIO. 

IS-- 



OF CINCINNATI. OHIO. 



CINCINNATI : 

PRESS OF GEORGE P. HOUSTON, 105 LONGWORTH ST. 
1885. 



h 



J> 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18S4, 

By Michael J. Flanagan, 

[n the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, L>. C. 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



T MP 92-009 323 



CAST OK CHARACTERS. 



Owen McGuire, an Irish brogue maker. 

Colonel Abraham, the Landlord. 

Sir John Bramble, a Young Lord. 

Edward O'Connor, an old man, the Colonel's servant. 

John Kinney, the Process Server. 

Jim O'Brien, the Tinker. 

Jack Clancy, the Pig Jobber. 

Dennis Reiley. 

Tim Callahan. 

Jerry Fahey. 

First Policeman, Sergeant. 

Second Policeman. 

Nell McCullen, the Fortune Teller. 

Kate Dugan, Owen's Aunt. 

Widow Roholey, who keeps a Country Tavern. 

Miss Annie Gillmore, an heiress. I 

Maggie Malone. 

Nellie Sullivan. 

Bridget Kennedy. 

Nancy O'Shaughnesy. (3) 



COSTUIVLKS. 



Owen McGuire. — 1st. Cordurory knee breeches, blue hose, low- 
out shoes, vest, long double breast; white shirt with large 
collar, large black tie, blue apron, brown wig, smooth face. 

2nd. Same as first except apron, blue double breasted Clawham- 
mer coat with brass buttons, grey over-coat with cape, small 
round -top hat. 

Colonel. — English walking suit, black greyish side whiskers. 

Sir John. — Young lord, english dress suit, rather dudish. 

O'Connor — Old man, grey hair, small grey side whiskers, long 
black pants, black Clawhammer vest, long; carries cane. 

Kinney. — Process Server. Full brown beard, black knee breeches, 
long black hose, short sack coat, soft hat. 

O'Brien. — The Tinker. Red hair, (shabby) red throat whiskers, 
red complexion, long sack coat, long shabby pants and vest, 
old white stiff hat, carries pack on back marked "Marching 
Machinery," contains sheets of tin and soldering irons, um- 
brellas under arm. 

Jack Clancy. — The Pig Jobber. Large heavy man, greyish 

throat whiskers and hair, low plug hat, long sack coat, grey ; 

long buff vest, brown knee breeches, with leggins over hose. 

First Policeman, Sergeant.) Uniform of Irish Policemen. 
Second Policeman. J 

Nell. — Long cloak, with hood over head. 

Kate Dugan. — Old brown dress, long checked apron, white cap- 
frills on front, with black ribbon -band on it tied under chin, 
hair grey. 

Widow. — White cap with red ribbon run around frill and tied 
under chin, brown dress, long checked apron. 

Annie.— 1st. Travelling suit. 2nd. Silk dress, with train. 

Dennis. 

Callahan, 

Jerry. 

Maggie. \. l r i s h Peasant Dress. 

Nellie. 

Bridget. 

Nancy. ) (4) 



THE 

BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 



Act I. Scene 1. 

Interior of an Irish home— Cupboard, dishes, &c, — chairs — 
table — Teapot near fire-place , a pot hanging on the crane in fire-place, 
Spinning-wheel — Kate sitting at wheel taking a pinch of snuff— Owen 
sitting on ivork- bench sewing brogues, and singing an Irish Melody 
as curtain raises. 

Kate. Owen darlin', that's a beautiful song, it makes ray 
poor old heart rise. But faix, Owen, how can we pay that ten 
pound rint ? I'm afraid that we will be put out acushlin mecria. 

Owen. Well, Aunt, sure an' we have three nice Pigs, an' faix 
the Goodman will help us to pay the rint, an' I will kape on 
mendin' Brogues; faix, dear Aunt, I never let meself get dis- 
couraged, an' the Colonel may not be so hard onus ; but faix, 
he is a surly ould customer at times. 

Dennis, (knocks at door and enters) Good evenin' to ye's. 

Owen. Good evenin', Dennis, I hope yer well. 

Dennis. Owen, have ye those Brogues done yet? 

Owen. Mussha, faix, I'm just workin' upon thim now. 

Dennis. Don't disappoint me, now, Owen, because I must 
have thim brogues to-night, for it is holloween night, and sure 
and faith we must have some fun. 

Owen. All right, Dennis; sit down Dennis aviquo, and you 
shall have the brogues to-night. 

Kate. Sure Dennis agrawgel I'm awful dow^n-hearted, be- 
case the Colonel is getting divilishexactin' with us, an' sure 
I'm afraid that he will put us out of our little home. 

Dennis. Ah! niver mind auvorneen, you will be all right 
some day. 

Owen. Ah! niver moind botherin' your head with that 

(5) 



6 THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 

Aunt of mine, agrawgel, because sure she's always borrowin' 
trouble. It's time enough, faix, to bid the divil good mornin' 
when yo u mate him. 

Kate. Yerra wussha, yes Dennis, but sure you know that 
kind of talk won't do the Colonel when he comes here. 

Owen. Well, Aunt Kate, sure-en-faix we can't die all to- 
gether ; we'll live as long as we can, and if he don't give us toime 
to get that little bit of money, I shall quit mendin' brogues, 
and I tell you, faix, I will become desperate. 

Kate. What do you mane to be talkin' to me loike that? 

Owen. I mean that they must not crush me in the dirt, or 
by all that's good and bad (rises) Owen McGuire won't be no 
small peraties to deal with. But never moind talkin' now, 
Aunt Kate, sure, but get us a bite of supper, and may-be Dennis 
will take a bite with us. 

Dennis. Never moind, faix, I must be lavin' ye's. 

Kate. Yerra sit down with us man, and have a bite or two. 

Dennis. No, I must be goin' home, becase my supper will be 
waitin' for me. 

Owen. All right Dennis (tying up the brogues.) 

Dennis. Good-bye to ye's all, but don't forget Owen, to come 
to the widow Roholey's Sheebine house at the Cross road to- 
night, becase, faix, we will have a Snap-apple and all kinds 
of jokes. Be sure and come, Owen, agrawgil. (Owen winks and 
points to Kate) I want you to shake your foot to-night (Exit.) 

Kate, (setting table) Owen, dear boy, I don't like to have you 
lave the house to-night, becase I have been having terrible 
dreams, an' you would have to cross Gabbit's Glinn, becase you 
always makes a short cut home that way. 

Owen. Yerra wussha, Aunt Kate, sure there ain't a man in 
the whole Parish would bother poor old McGuire, becase he 
never does wrong to anybody. 

( Knock at door. Kate opens door. Enter Colonel and process server. ) 

Colonel. Owen McGuire, T want you to leave this house 
within two weeks from to-day. 

Owen. What! do you mane to put me and my poor aunt 
out of our home ? 

Colonel. Yes, within two weeks you must leave this place. 

Owen. Begar, you are gettin' divilish kind, but Owen 
McGuire won't get out as easy as you think he will. 



THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. / 

Colonel. (To process server.) Give him that notice. 

process Server, (about to read paper when Owen steps to cup- 
board and gets a short gun or blunderbuss.) 

Owen. Hold on, me good man, put your paper in your pocket, 
an' if ye's don't lave thishouse, the both of ye in a jiffy, I'll 
blow yer brains out. Get outside the trachil of me door. 

Colonel. You shall suffer for this insult, Owen McGuire, I 
shall have 3 T ou put in irons, if you don't come to-morrow and 
beg my pardon. 

Owen. Leave, now, or I'll make you beg my pardon (Exit 
Colonel and Process Server). Kate, let us be looking to see which 
way they go. (Exit Owen and Kale.) 

Act I. Scene 2. 

Wood Scene. (Dennis enters from E; Nell from L.) 

Dennis. Ah, Nell, where are you going? 

Nell. Oh! I'm only going as far as the cross-road to the 
widow Roholey's. 

Dennis. I suppose you'll be there to-night, Nell, becase faix, 
all the boys and girls will be there, and I think we'll have 
good time. 

Nell. Faix an' I'll be there, don't ye's forget it. Ah, here 
comes the Colonel down the road and another man with him. 
I wonder what they'r up to? 

Dennis-. Oh! Sure an' its nothing good, Nell, becase that 
Colonel is a bad customer anyhow — Well, good day to ye, Nell. 
(Exit B.) (Nell hides behind a tree.) 

(Enter Colonel and Process Server.) 

Colonel. John, I must get that fellow out of that place. 

P. S. Well, Colonel, I would let him alone until the two 
weeks are up. 

Col. Never mind, then, John, I have a job for you to-night, 
which requires nerve, and firm determination, you will also 
need an assistant in whom you can place the greatest confi- 
dence. Can I depend upon you? 

P. S. You can depend upon me, Colonel. I will also have 
a man in whom you can depend. 

Col. Good, then, come to Ballanygar to-night, and we will 
talk the matter over. Be sure, John, that your man can keep 
a secret, and there is a hundred pounds each for you. 



» THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 

P. S. Is it a very dangerous job, Colonel ? 

Col. Well, John, I'll tell you that you must not be cowardly 
about it. The job must be done to-night. And I shall depend 
upon you to do it. So don't fail to come to Ballanygar to-night. 

P. S. {Aside) Ah! I'm afraid that it's some terrible deed 
that he wants me to do. 

Col. Promise me faithfully, John, that you will do the job 
for me, and remember there is a hundred pounds each for you 

P. S. Well, by jingo, here goes (shaking the CoVs hand). It's a 
bargain, Colonel, but you must stand by me if I get in trouble. 

Col. All right. I will stand by you till the last. Now don't 
fail to come to Ballanygar to-night. (Exit R. & L.) 

Nell. (Enters from behind tree, cautiously) I wish that I had 
been closer to them so I could hear what they were sayin'; 
but never moind, the time will come when Colonel Abraham 
will know who Old Nell the fortune teller, as they call me. is, 
and then I will have my rights, Ah! who comes here? An- 
other traveler I suppose. 

O'Connor. (Enter R. with grip sack.) Good evenin' Ma'm, 
would you please show me the way to Ballanygar? 

Nell. Indade an I can, Sir; do you see that cross road be- 
yond? Its just a mile and a half from there to Ballanygar. 

O'Connor. I'm glad of it, for indeed, ma'm, I've came a long 
journey, and I am very tired. 

Nell. Did you come far, Sir? 

O'Connor. Well, my good woman, I came from Carey, to get 
employment at a man's residence in Ballanygar; his name is 
Abraham. He wants a man to do odd jobs about his house. 

Nell. Faith, an' I'll tell you, my good man, you're goin to 
sarve a cross old master. 

O'Connor. Do' you tell me so? 

Nell. Yes indeed, Sir, I tell you he has no heart. He has put 
many poor families out in the cold. 

O'Connor. Tell me, my good woman, is there any other man 
by the name of Abraham around this part of the country? 

Nell. I don't think there is. 

O'Connor. How long has this Colonel lived in Ballanygar? 

Nell. He has lived here, Sir, for a good many years. 

O'Connor. What is your name, my good woman? If it's no 
harm to ask you. 



THE BALLAXVGAR BROGUE MAKER. 9 

Nell. Not a bit sir, they call me Nell the fortune teller, hut 
my real name, I have not revealed to anyone. I am huntin' 
people who have wronged me, and deprived me of my happi- 
ness. This is why I take the name of Nell McCullen, the for- 
tune teller, and some day the just Man will give me my rights. 

O'Connor. You speak 1113' good woman as if there Mas some 
mystery in your life. 

Nell. Well indade, Sir, I've had my share. 

O'Connor. Well, my good woman, will you trust me with 
your secret. I may he of service to you some day. 

Nell. Do you mane what you say, my good man? Can I 
trust you with my secret? 

O'Connor. Yes, my poor woman. 

Nell. ( Kneeling — pointing upward) Do you promise me by all 
that is above? 

0' 'Connor. Yes. 

Nell. lam the wife of Captain McGuire who was lost on the 
ship "Star of the West." This Colonel Abraham was a mate 
under my husband. He has got all of my husbands papers I 
think, and I am penniless, but Oh! if the dead could speak — 
Colonel Abraham's villany would soon come to light. That 
is why, my good man, that I am going under the name of 
"Nell McCullen, the fortune teller," thinking that I may some 
day get possession of my husbands papers. 

O'Connor. They are very valuable papers, my good woman. 
You are on the same business that I am. Twenty years ago I 
was a coast-guard in the county of Carey. I discovered a lost 
ship at the heads of Carey and picked up a man, he told me 
that he had been on board that ship and that they were bound 
for Calcutta and he thought that all the rest had perished. I 
took him to my home and gave him dry clothes, and after he 
had recovered, he took a package of papers from the inside 
pocket of his wet jacket. He opened the package before the 
fire-place and began to dry them, and asked me if I could read 
writing. Thinking there was something mysterious in his 
question, I said, "No." He told me that they were papers be- 
longing to the Captain, and he had been the last one from the 
Cabin, and when he returned, the vessel was almost down, 
there was not a man to be seen on the deck, and he got on to 
a piece of a Spar, and was floating on it when I picked him up. 



10 THE BALLANTGAR BROGUE MAKER. 

He told me his name was Abraham, and that he was a mate. 

Nell, (kneeling before O'Connor) Thank God! Thank God! 
My good man, that I have met 3^011 this evening. That Cap- 
tain was my husband, and the scoundrel who has my property 
is Colonel Abraham— my blessin' on ye a thousand times, sir, 
for this information; tell me again, sir, what is your name? 

O'Connor. My name is Edward O'Connor. 

Nell, (fainting, and is caught by O'Connor — then recovers) Oh! 
Sir, I have a son who is livin' with my sister, a widow woman, 
an' they suppose me dead. I speak to him an' he does not 
know me. 

O'Connor. Well, my good woman, I shall go to Ballanygar 
Mansion, and if Colonel Abraham is the man who has your 
papers, I promise you that I shall secure them for you, so 
good-bye, my good woman, until I see you again, and may 
God bless you. 

Nell. Oh! thanks to you Sir; but keep my secret. 

O'Connor. Yes I will, and I will get those papers if it costs 
me my life. (Exit R. & L.) 

O'Brien. (Enter R — Pack on back marked "marching machinery" 
old umbrellas under his arm, enters awkwardly — whistling) I've been 
travlin' all day to see if I could'nt buy a Donkey, faix an' I 
dunno if there is any in this part of the country or not. Sure 
an' faix I'll try a while longer onnyhow, but they are a set of 
devilish droll people around here. They look at a tinker as 
if he was a thief, but niver moind, that's my line of business, 
to travel the country over and buy a donkey, an' snap him 
when I can make a few shilling in the bargain. Well, sure an' 
I must be on the road. (Exit L.) 

Act. II. Scene 1. 

(The Colonel's Library.) 

Colonel. — Sitting at table reading — Hat and cane on table — ) 

O'Connor. — (Knocks at door — ) 

Colonel. — (Opens door.) 

O'Connor. — (Out side) Good evening, your honor (taking off 
hat) . I've been informed that you want an old man as a servant 
who has no family. I have called, sir, for the purpose of 
securing the place. 

Colonel. — Walk in, Sir. Take a seat. 



THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 11 

O'Connor. — (Enters) Thank you. (Takes scat near table.) 
Colonel. — (Seated) Do you reside in this vicinity? 
O'Connor. — No Sir, I live in the city of Cork. 
Colonel. — What has been your occupation? Have you ever 
been a servant? 

O'Connor. — Well, no, your honor, I have not. I have been a 
sailor in my younger daj T s, but I shall do my best to serve you, 
Sir, if you will employ me. 

Colonel. — Well, my good man, I shall give you a trial, as you 
are an old man with no family. Step into this room please. 
(leads O'Connor into room and closes the door after him, then returns 
to chair and sits in a deep study) . Well, niy goodness, that old man 
takes my mind back to when I was a mate on "The Star of 
the West." (Studies) Well, I am wealthy enough now, and its 
no matter how I got it, I could not give up those papers and live 
as a poor man. It will never be revealed, the dead never 
speak, and that five thousand pounds that I have of Annie 
Gillmore's I shall have also. I am her guardian and not one 
can take it from me. I have it in my possession and it must 
be mine! She is coming home to-night and she must be dis- 
posed of. This is holloween night and the glen is clear. She 
has to cross the bridge. That is where they must finish her. 
It must be done to-night — (Knock at door — Colonel opens.) 

P. S. (John Kinney) ) Enter hats in hand.) 

O'Brien. (Tinker) f 

P. S. Well, Colonel, I have come to talk with you in regard 
to the job you wanted me to do to-night. 

Colonel. (Looking at Tinker in astonishment). John, who is this 
man that you have with you ? 

P. S. This is Jim O'Brien, Colonel. 

Col. Have you known him long? 

P. S. No, Colonel, I have just met him on the way to Bal- 
lanygar this evenin' and he told me his name was Jim O'Brien. 

Col. (To Tinker) Well, Sir, where did you come from? 

J JBrien. Where do I live at, do you mane, Sir? 

Col. Yes Sir, that is what I mean. 

O'Brien. Well, faix an' I came from Sleighgo. 

Col. Well Sir, what is your occupation? 

O'Brien. What do I do for a livin'. Is that what ye mane? 

Col. Yes, Sir. 



12 THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 

O'Brien. Sure an' I'm what they call a tinker. (Slirvgging 
shoulders.) 

Col. John, do you think we can depend on this man? 
P. S. Yes, Colonel, I am satisfied that we can depend on 
him. 

Col. (To O'Brien) Well, my good man, would you like to 
make one hundred pounds to-night? 

O'Brien. Yerra, Sir, are ye jokin' wild me; sure that's more 
mony than I'd ever make in my loif. 

Col. Well, Sir, you can make that amount to-night, if you 
will promise me that you will do as I desire, and keep it a 
secret. 

O'Brien. Mussha faith, Sir, I'd do anything for that much 
money — be whatever it is. 
Col. But you must never mention it to a living being. 
O'Brien. You can depend on me, Sir. 
P. S. I am satisfied that he is all right, Colonel. 
Col. Very well, John, you and this man will do that little 
job to-night. 

P. S. All right, Sir, please tell us what is to be done. 
Col. Well, Sir, to-night at 11 o'clock Miss Annie Gillmore 
with her intended husband, Sir John Bramble, will arrive 
here from Dublin. I am her guardian, and I have in my pos- 
session some valuable papers belonging to this lady who is 
now an orphan. John, she must be put out of the way to-night. 
What say you now? 

P. S. (In astonishment) Is it murder the young lady you 
want us to do, Colonel ? 

Col. You understand me, John, she must be put out of the 
way to-night. Her and Sir John Bramble will have to walk 
to Ballanygar to-night, and that is the time to do your work. 
Seize her as they cross the bridge, and frighten Sir John 
away — remember do not harm him. But bind the girl hand 
and foot and throw her over the bridge. Don't be cowardly, 
John. I will protect you to the last, and you know one word 
from me would clear you, if you got in trouble, and you will 
get your hundred pounds each to-morrow morning. Be on 
the bridge at twelve o'clock ; it will take them until that time 
to reach the bridge, and be very careful that she does not 
raise the alarm. 



THE BALLAXYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 13 

P. S. All right, Colonel, we will be on our way now. 
Come ahead, Jim. (Exit John and Jim R.) 

Col. (T<il:,< seat looking at papers) They will finish her to- 
night, then I will be owner other fortune, (rising) Surely no 
one will suspect me of foul play. Well, I believe I will go out 
and get a little fresh air, as I fell rather nervous to-night. 
(Ex-it D. C. with hat and cane.) 

O'Connor. {Enter from room — Servant's costume — looks cautiously 
about — sees key in book case drawer — opens it quickly— speaking low). 
He is the man that I found on the Spar. He has those papers 
and I hope I can find them— now is my only chance. Ah, here 
they are (taking papers from desk). I have them now (puts in 
hi* pocket). I will make that poor old woman happy now. 
And I know she will make me happy by giving me enough 
to keep me in my old days. (Exit.) 

Act II. Scene 2. 

(Scene — Moonlight — bridge — road— woods — near beautiful glen.) 
Owen. (Enter R. on Bridge singing) Faix an' I hope that all 
the boys an' girls will be at the widow's to-night. An' sure 
if Maggie Malone is there I will have Tim Callahan crazy 
mad. Becase, faix, he's divilish fond of her, an' I'll plague 
the divil out of him, becase Maggie is always after me. 
Sorrow one of me cares about ony of the girls in the 
whole parish. She'd better marry Jack Clancy's Son, 
the pig jobber, than to bother her head about poor Owen, 
'•the brogue maker." Faix, my heart is heavy an' sad to think of 
the way the Colonel has treated us. Well, faix, I'll be off to the 
widow's an' see what's goin' on. The night is fine an' it's bright 
moonlight, an' sure this is hallow-eve night an' they say that 
after twelve o'clock the little man will be seen who they call 
the Laragathon. Faix, I'll watch for him to-night on my way 
home an' I'll make him give me a purse, which they say he 
always has a shillin' in. Though he is a fairy I'm towld, I'm 
not afraid of the fairies, so I shall make my way across the 
glenn. (Exit L. singing.) 

Act II. Scene 3. 

Scene. (The Widow Boholey's Shebine House on the roadside — 
Door and window in front — Water barrel at corner of house — Bench 
under window — Bottles on shelf in window. 



14 THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 

Sign over door "The Widow Roholey's Shebine House." 
"Good whiskey for the hapence." ( Widow at door.) 

Dennis Re'dy. {Enter advance to widow.) Good evenin' Mrs. 
Roholey. 

Widow. Well, good evenin'. I see, Dennis, you have new 
brogues on. 

Dennis. Faix, I have, an they were screechin' like the very 
devil cumin' down the road; I just put them on this evenin'. 
I got them at Owen McGuires, an' poor Owen an' his Aunt 
Kate was in great trouble. 

Widow. What was the trouble, Dennis? 

Dennis. Some little bill that they could'nt pay, an' old Kate 
said that she was afraid that Colonel Abraham would put them 
out of their little home. 

Widow. That Colonel is a terrible man; but tell me, Dennis, 
is Owen comin' here to-night? 

Dennis. Sure an' I towld him to come. 

Widow. Did he say he'd come? 

Dennis. Faix, I know he will, but he did'nt say. 

{Enter Maggie Malone, Nellie Sullivan and Jack Clancy, the 
Pig jobber, a widower.) 

Widow. How do you do, Mr. Clancy. Have you come to the 
Snap-apple ? 

Clancy. Mussha, faith, I have Ma'am. An' how do you do, 
Maggie and Nellie? 

Maggie. ) We are well, thank ye. 

Nellie. \ 

Widow. Come in the house an' let us prepare to have a bit 
of fun. {all enter.) {Enter R. and go in the house, Tim Callahan, 
Jerry Fahey, Bridget Kennedy, Nance C Shaughnesy and Nell Mc. 
Cullen — Enter house and close door.) 

Act II. Scene 4. 

{Interior of Widow Roholey 1 s house — Fire place — burning candle 
on mantle piece — counter and shelves with botttles and packages — bar- 
rel at end of counter, jug on end of shelf — water and glasses on coun- 
ter — Chairs and tables — Suspended about 4/4 ft- from the floor by a 
cord attached to ceiling are two cross sticks, ends of sticks pointed — 
apples stuck on two, burning candles on other two — one of the party 
whirls snap-apple, others stand with hands on their backs and snap at 
the apples with their mouths.) 



THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 15 

Widow. — Come, Nell, let us get the things ready for the young 
folks. (Moves table to one side — Sets chairs around the room.) t 
Boys and Girls, now let ye be seated, an' make yourselves as 
happy as can (all seated). Here is all the young folks, Mr. 
Clancy; it makes me think of when I was young. 

Clancy. Sure, Mrs. Roholey, you aint old yet by any means, 
faith, you're a fine lookin' woman yet, you look as fine as 
the young folks. 

Widow. Do you think so? 

Clancy. Indade, an' I do. 

Widow. (Shrugs shoulders and smiles.) 

Nell. (Moves chair near fire place and sits.) I hope that Owen 
will come here to-night. 

Dennis. Faix an' so do I. Sure and he'll be here for I towld 
him to come. 

Widow. Faix an' we would'nt have any fun if Owen did'nt 
come to-night. I wonder what's kapin him. 

Maggie. I just hope that Owen will come. 

Tim. (getting up, jealous) You're divilish uneasy about Owen! 

Maggie. What is it to you, if I am, Tim Callahan? 

Clancy. Sure, Mrs. Roholey, the boys and girls are havin' 
a pretty tough time. Look at the jealous eye of Tim Calla- 
han, faix an' he don't need to be jealous of poor Owen. I think 
the girls don't trouble him a great dale. 

Widow. Whist! I hear some one a comin'. (Opens door) 
Here comes Owen ; I hear him comin' down the road a singin'. 

Owen, (enters door singing) Faix, is ye's all here? 

Widow. Yes, indade we are. 

Clancy, (jumping up and shaking hands with Owen.) Faix, Owen, 
an' we thought you was'nt comin' at all to-night, to see us. 

Owen. Sure an' faith I'm always on hand like a bad shillin'. 

Dennis. I knowed ye'd come, Owen, and I'm all the toime 
thryin' to kape Maggie Malone sthill, she has me bothered to 
death thinkin' that ye was'nt comin'. 

Tim. (Throws one leg across the, other and looks sour at Dennis.) 

Maggie. (Taking her chair to other side of the room.) I wish, Mr. 
Reiley, you would attend to your own business, (all laugh.) 

Owen. Let us stir around an' have some fun. You're divil- 
ish drool, (taking a candle from the mantel-piece) Here, Dennis, 
we'll light the Snap-apple, (lights candles). 



16 THE BAI.LANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 

Clancy Give all the boys and girls a dandy punch, Mrs. 
Roholey. 

Widow. (Fills glasses arid passes the first to Owen.) 

Owen. Here's good luck to ye's all. (Smiling). 

Widow. Owen, my boy, ye must give us a song and a bit of 
a step to-night. 

Dennis, (whirls the Snap-apple, all gather around it, except the 
widow and Clancy, who sit in one corner alone). 

Clancy, (putting his arm around ividow) Faix, Mrs. Roholey, we 
may as well be sociable. 

Dennis. Come, Mr. Clancy, an' have a Snap at the Apple. 

Owen. Let Mr. Clancy alone; he has got a Snap Apple of his 
own, in the corner. 

Nell. Faith, its nothing but match makin' in this house 
to-night. 

Widow. Owen, you have not given us that song and step 
yet. (blushing and glancing at Mr. Clancy). 

All. (laughing) Yes, yes, Owen, a song and bit of a step 

Owen, (singing a song, and dances) Well, Mrs. Roholey, I'll 
bid ye's good night, I must be up early in the mornin' an' I 
must be on my way home. Good-night Maggie, and all of 
ye's. (Exit D, in C). 

All. (Bid each other good-night and exit. 

Act III. Scene 1. 
Scene. Road and Bridge, same as act 2, scene 2. 

Owen, (on road going toward bridge) Faith I have had a divil 
of a good time, an' I think that will be a match between Mr. 
Clancy an'^the widow. Now is the time I ought to mate the 
little man that has the purse. They say he is a fairy, an' faix, 
I will watch for him. Whist! I hear something. What's 
that? By Garre, there's something wrong I'll just step be- 
hind this tree and listen, (goes behind tree). 

(Enter John Kinney the P. S., and the Tinker, O'Brien.) 

P. S. It is about time for them to be here. 

O'Brien Is it? But faith, I'm gettin' chilly and a bit scared 
about this job. 

P. S. What? You ain't gettin' cowardly already. There 
is no one in the glenn to-night, an' the Police Barracks is a 
half mile away. 



THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 17 

O'Brien. Faith, I am not cowardly, but I'm divilish nar- 
vous. I guess I will take oil" this pack an' these old umbrellas 
an' conceal them some place, as I will not need to do any 
tinkerin' in this business ; faith, T wish it was over. (Conceals 
pack and umbrellas.) 

P. S. Oh ! never moind, just think of the hundred pounds. 
Here they come, we must conceal ourselves some place here 
and prepare for the job. (Both hide.) (Enter Sir John and 
Annie and cross bridge-r-Talking — The tinker seizes Annie — Process 
Server runs Sir John off. 

Sir John. (Running) Oh! Oh! Oh dear! What does this 
mean? Murder! Murder! 

P. S. Not a word out of you. (drawing his pistol and pointing 
at Sir John.) If you scream I'll blow you to atoms. 

Annie. (Screams and faints in the arms of O'Brien.) 

Owen. (Running to the rescue) Villain! What does this mane? 
Unhand that young lady at once. 

Annie. (Revives and screams) Save me! Save me! (faints in 
Owen } s arms.) 

O'Brien. Oh! my goodness! (runs away leaving his packs.) 

Owen. Oh my, aint she purty. I wish she could stay here 
always. Isn't she a darlin' creator'. I wonder what it all 
manes. 

P. S. (Returns to see if O'Brien has done his part — thinks Owen 
is O'Brien.) 

Owen. (Lays Annie down gently — points gun at P. S.) Stand 
back, Sir. (P. S. rushes on him, Owen pulls trigger — misses fire — 
drops gun and they clinch. — Owen throws P. S. over the bridge — 
water splashes up.) 

Annie, (moves) Oh! 

Owen. (Puts gun inside his coat and returns to Annie and takes 
her head on his arm and rubs her forehead.) 

Annie. (Opening eyes — looking wildly) Oh! Where am I, what 
has happened ? 

Owen. God be praised, ye are safe, Miss, and with a friend. 
I wonder why the young Lord don't come back to look for 
you? 

Annie. You mean Sir John Bramble, my escort, who so 
cowardly ran away and left me in those rascal's hands? 

Owen. Yes, Miss, but I thought Lords were never cowardly, 



18 THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 

or ran away and left ladies to the mercy of highwaymen. 

Annie. Ah! my kind rescuer, I thought so too, and this 
settles everything between Lord Bramble and myself. I 
could never marry a coward. 

Owen. Mussha, faith, I glory in your spunk, Miss; sure and 
maybe he was your sweetheart, an' took care of himself be- 
fore looking after you. A nice way for a gentleman to be 
doin'. Faith an' here he comes now. 

(Enter L — Sir John Bramble and 1st Policeman.) 

Sir John. This is one of the rascals. I demand his imme- 
diate arrest. (Meaning Owen. 

1st Policeman. All right, sir. You are my prisoner, sir. 
(To Owen — Taking him to one side.) 

Sir John. Oh, my darling Annie, I am delighted to find you 
safe. I thought those horrid rascals had murdered you. 

Annie. (Crossing toward Owen.) Lord Bramble, I am safe, but 
no thanks to you for it. You have had this poor man arrested, 
and he who was my preserver. 

Sir John. Come, Miss Annie, the Colonel is waiting with 
the carriage to take us to his house (walks off L reluctantly. 

Annie, (turns and speaks to Owen) My rescuer, all will be well. 

Owen. Thank ye, my Lady, may God bless ye. 

1st Policeman. Come along, fellow, you must go to the bar- 
racks with me. 

Owen. But I tell ye's I'm not guilty. I was comin' from the 
Widow Roholey's Snap-apple Party, when I saw two men 
talkin' an' actin' very suspiciously, so I thought I would hide 
behind this tree a bit an' see what they was up to. Pretty 
soon this young Lord and Lady came upon the bridge, when 
one of the men grabbed the lady, while the other run the 
young Lord off, an' I 'spose he'd been a runnin' yet if he had 
not run across ye's. This, Sir, was more than my pure Irish 
blood could stand, so I rushed to the rescue of the young 
lady and run the rascals away, an' saved the young lady's 
life. 

1st Policeman. Well, I am ordered to arrest you, and I must 
do my duty. 

Owen. Then I suppose I must go with ye to the barracks. 
(Exit L with officer, leaving gun and coat on bridge. 



THE BALLAN'YGAR BROGUE MAKER. l!) 

Act III. Scene 2. 

iScene. Country Police Station on left of street — bench under win- 
dow — 2nd officer sitting on it — Sign on the Station ''Police Bar- 
racks of Ballanygar. {Enter 1st Policeman with Owen, L.) 
2nd Policeman, (rise*) What's up Sergeant, who have we here? 
1st P. Owen McGuire, the Brogue Maker; there has been 

trouble in the glen and he is accused of it. 
2nd P. I'm very sorry, Owen, my poor boy; come in here. 

(Locks him up.) 
Nell. (Enters R.) Faith, Sergeant, I hear ye have poor Owen 

arrested, shure there ain't a more quiet boy in the Parish. 
1st P. 1 am very sorry for him, but that Colonel is a hard 

man to deal with, and I am afraid it will go hard with him, 

for the Colonel is the young lady's guardian. 
Nell. Faith, I would like to see the dear boy. 
1st P. Let poor Nell in, she is harmless, (lets her inside prison). 

I will go down to the Inn and get a cigar, I will be back 

soon. {Exit L.) 
'2nd P. There must have been something terrible occurred, 

I wonder why the Sergeant did not tell me about it. 
Nell. (Enters from prison followed by Owen icho knocks officer 

down as Sargeant enters L.) 
1st P. What's this mean? 
Nell. (Takes a small gun from under her cloak and hands to Owe::) 

Owen, defend yourself. 

Owen. (Pointing gun at officers) Stand back! 

(Officers surprised, allow Owen and Nell to escape.) 
1st P. How did you happen to let Owen escape? 
2nd P. Sergeant, he rushed out after old Nell and knocked 

me down before I could realize that he was out. 
1st P. Oh dear! this will cause us trouble and I fear we will 

both be discharged from the service. We must lock up the 

barracks and search for them at once. 

(Both enter barracks get overcoats and lock door.) 
1st P. Come, we must be lively. (Exit omnes.) 

Act IV. Scene 1. 
Scene, same as act 3rd, scene 1st. (Nell and Owen appear on bridge). 
Owen. Where did you get my gun ? My coat must be here 



20 THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 

some place. Ah! here it is (picks up and puts on, then picks up 
gun, looking at it). Faix, Nell, sure, an' that gun was'nt fired 
off for the last twenty years, but it would'nt do to t^ll every- 
body that, (smiles and winks) but if she ever barks, you could 
hear her a hundred mile, or less. (Puts gun inside of coat.) 
Hello, what's this? (picks up budget and old umbrellas.) Faith, 
an' this is the tinker's budget. I wonder what it all manes? 

Nell. What brought it here? an' faix, Owen, tell me what ye 
was arrested for. 

Owen. Nell, I was on me way home from the widows, when 
I heard two men talkin'. I thought they were up to some- 
thing and I hid here, an' one told the other that they would 
get one hundred pounds for the job, an' I heard them say, 
"faith, we'll finish her." 

1st and 2nd. Policemen (rush upon Owen.) Yes! Yes! We'll 
finish you, if you try that game again. Now come along here. 
(pulling Owen off L. handcuffed, Nell following). 

Act VI. Scene 2. 

Scene. (The ColoneVs Library, O'Connor dusting furniture) . 

O'Connor. I wonder what this all means. It is a strange 
affair, here he is talking of putting some young lady out of 
the way, and then goes after her with the carriage. (Noise of 
carriage outside). Ah! here they come, (opens door, enter Colo- 
nel, Sir John and Annie). 

Colonel. Step this way, Sir John. Come, come, Annie, these 
tears are of no avail, we are home now. (Annie takes ColoneVs 
arm and all advance R). O'Connor, you may give Miss Annie 
a chair, and then leave us; I will ring for you when needed. 
(O'Connor exit bowing) Sir John, be seated. (Sir John and Colonel 
take seats at table) Sir John, I am deeply grieved that you 
should meet with such bad luck on your first visit to Ballan- 
ygar Mansion. 

Sir John. I am very sorry, too, and those rascals handled 
Miss Annie very rough, and nearly frightened the life out of me. 

Colonel. Yes, yes, and those villains shall pay dearly for this 
nights work. I wonder who they are, and what their object 
could have been ? 

Sir John. The officer called one of them Owen. 

Colonel. Owen? And have you got him arrested? (rubbing 



THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 21 

liis hands for joy) It must be that rascal Owen McGuire. I will 
make him suffer for it, and put the Sergeant after the others 
as soon as possible. 

An v ue. Oh! No! No! Owen McGuire is innocent He is a 
brave, honest man, and saved my life, while you, Sir John, ran 
like the coward that you are ! (bosom heaves and eyes flash in rage) . 

Colonel, (rise*, stamps foot on floor in rage) Miss Annie, what 
do you mean by taking the part of a scoundrel like Owen Mc- 
Guire the brogue maker? 

Annie, (in a rage) T'is false, Col. Abraham ! Owen McGuire 
is no scoundrel. He was my rescuer, and saved my life. 
(leaving room angrily) Poor Owen, I will stand by you in your 
trouble, even with my life. (Exit). 

Colonel. Sir John, I don't understand Annie's motive in 
shielding that Owen McGuire. What in the world is it? 

Sir John. I cannot tell, Colonel, but she has turned against 
me since this fellow, McGuire, has appeared, and has done 
nothing but heap a tirade of abuse upon me since. 

Colonel. Oh well! She will be all right in a little while, just 
let her have a little rest, for she is undoubtedly fatigued, and 
very nervous from her journey and the narrow escape she has 
just had. (Rings for servant) (Enter O'Connor) O'Connor, show 
Sir John to his room. Good-night, Sir John. (Exit O'Connor 
and Sir John, bidding Colonel good-night.) 

Colonel. They have made a failure, what km I to do? I have 
it. I will be revenged on Owen McGuire, curse him! If he 
had not interferred, the job would have been completed, and 
I would have been in possession of her fortune. Byjove! Sir 
John has had him arrested, and he is now in the police bar- 
racks. Ah! ha! Owen McGuire, I will crush you yet. 
(Knock at door, Colonel opens it, enter O'Brien). 

O'Brien, Oh! Colonel, your honor, we came near being mur- 
dered. John Kinney scared the young gentleman off, and I 
caught the young lady, when a man jumped upon the bridge, 
and compelled me to let her go, drawing a gun from the inside 
of his coat, an' faith he would have killed me, if I had not run 
for my life, an' sure Colonel, an' he throwed John over the 
bridge. 

Colonel. What! Is he killed? 

O'Brien. Yes, he is dead. 



22 THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 

Colonel. I shall make Owen suffer for this. (Knock at door, 
opened by the Colonel, enter two policemen with Owen and Nell, Owen 
handcuffed). 

M Policeman. Colonel, here is Owen McGuire. I arrested him 
on the bridge, and locked him in the barracks, when Old Nell 
asked to see him, she was admitted, and I started off to get 
some account of what had happened. When Old Nell came 
out of the prison, Owen rushed out quickly after her, knock- 
ing the officer down, and Old Nell gave him a gun to defend 
himself with, and they both escaped to the bridge, where we 
recaptured them. 

Nell. Oh, sir, please do not punish poor Owen; he was rights 
an' risked his life to save the young lady, your ward. If any 
one must suffer for this, let it be me. 

Colonel. Away with you, old woman, and you, {turning to 
officer) take this scoundrel to prison at once. 

Annie, (rushing in, embracing Owen) No! No! No! This shall 
not be, you shall not take him away. He is innocent. I swear 
it before heaven, {pointing upward — Tinker sneaks out). 

Sir John, (enters) Miss Annie, what does this mean? Take 
your hands away from that scoundrel, you should be ashamed 
of yourself; you, who is to be my bride. 

Annie. Sir John, I will never marry you ; I would rather die 
than marry a coward, who deserted me and left me in the 
hands of highwaymen, to be rescued by this brave heart. 
(Kissing Owen). 

Colonel, (in anger) Annie, come away from that scoundrel at 
once, (to officer) Take him to prison, where he belongs. Such 
actions, Miss Annie, upon your part, shall be answered for, 
and you shall apologize to Sir John, for this gross insult. (1st 
and 2nd officers taking hold of Owen. 

Annie, Stand back, Sir. 

Colonel. Take him away ! Take him away, I say ! Do you 
hear ? 

O'Connor, (enters hastily through door, which has been ajar) Stop! 
I demand you, Sir. I have a word to say that may change 
matters a bit, I am thinkin'. 

Colonel. O'Connor, not a word, sir; you are my servant. 

CCon. (Opening his coat with one hand, showing a detective' 1 's badge, 
and drawing off his wig with the other hand.) Yes, Colonel, and I 



THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 2i5 

am your superior. {Taking package of soiled papers fro id his 
pocket.) Twenty years ago I was a coast-guard in the county 
of Carey. (Looks at Colonel, who seems uneasy.) There was a 
vessel bound for Calcutta, lost off the coast, near the heads 
of Carey, where I found a man floating on a yard arm. I 
picked him up and took him to my cabin, when he told me 
that he was first mate of "The Star of the West," which was 
commanded by Captain McGuire. They struck the heads 
about three o'clock in the morning, and w r ent right down. 
All on board perished except this man. When he pulled this 
package of papers from his pocket, and asked me if I could 
read writing, I told him that I could not, but at the same 
time I noticed that they were addressed to Mrs. Capt. C. 
McGuire, also that they were official documents, which 
showed that I could read writing, in an emergency (winking, 
and looking at Colonel). And now, ladies and gentlemen, allow 
me to introduce to you, Mrs. Capt. C. McGuire, wife of the 
late Capt. McGuire ; and to you, Madame, I return your long- 
lost rights and fortune (hands Nell papers — taking another pack- 
age of papers and handing to Annie) and here is Miss Annie 
Gillmore's fortune, which I found in company with Mrs. 
Capt. McGuire's, which I return to you, my lady. (Turning 
to officers) I will ask the officers to release Owen McGuire, 
and I demand that the handcuffs be put on that man (pointing 
to Colonel, who shrinks back with horror). I demand it done im- 
mediately, and for this reason — I heard him hiring two ras- 
cals to kill Miss Annie. 

Colonel, (in a rage) Liar! 

O'Connor. Ah! Stand back, my gallant Colonel, I'm not 
done yet. As I was saying, I heard him hire two rascals to kill 
Miss Annie, and he was to give them one hundred pounds 
each. I understood it all. He was to kill MissAnnie, and get 
her fortune, he being her guardian. And my lady, you have 
Owen McGuire to thank for saving your precious life, (officers 
takes cuffs from Owen, and places on the Colonel, with a struggle.) 

Nell, (throwing her arms about Owen's neck) Owen, my dear boy 
I am your long, lost mother, whom you have supposed to be 
dead. 

Owen. Is it possible, mother? Mother. Is it really true, that 
I have found a mother? 



24 



THE BALLANYGAR BROGUE MAKER. 



Nell. Yes, my son, I am your mother, and a just man, God 
bless him, has brought us together, with dear father's fortune, 
an' he was a wealthy man, Owen, (turning to O'Connor) God 
bless you, good man, an' you shall be rewarded. 

Owen. I am master of the Mansion of Ballanygar. 

Nell. Yes. 

Owen. (To officers — laughing) Take your prisoner to the jail. 
Colonel, how would ye's loike to beg my pardon, now ? How 
does the shoe fit the other foot, now, Colonel ? 

Colonel. Curse you! (starting for door with officers.) 

Owen. Stop! On one condition I release you, Colonel 
Abraham. 

Colonel. Name it. 

Owen. That you leave the country, never to return. 

Colonel. I will abide by your decision. 

Owen. (Taking his mother and Annie by hands.) Kind friends, 
I will bid farewell to ye and the Brogue Maker. (To Annie) 
With your permission, JVJiss Annie, we will start a new life 
in the mansion of Ballanj^gar. 

Nell. May God bless ye, my dear children. God bless ye. 




1st P. Colonel. 



Nell. 
Owen. Annie. 



2nd P. 




CURTAIN. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

IfflUffll 

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